United States Probation Officer

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Probation Department.

Probation officers serve in a judiciary law enforcement position and promote community safety, gather information, supervise persons on probation, supervised release, and parole (hereinafter referred to as clients), interact with collateral agencies, prepare reports, conduct investigations, and present recommendations to the Court.

Qualifications must be met at the time of the application.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study, such as criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, human relations, business or public administration, or other closely related field which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relations skills involved in the position.

In addition to meeting education requirements, candidates must also possess the following: To qualify for the CL 27 Level: A minimum of two (2) years of specialized experience; or completion of a master's degree in a field of study closely related to the position, or a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, is required.

To qualify for the CL 28 Level: A minimum of two (2) years of specialized experience.

Specialized Experience: Progressively responsible experience, gained after completion of a bachelor's degree, in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, public administration, human relations, social work, psychology, mental health treatment or work in substance/addiction treatment.

Experience as a police officer, custodial, or security officer, other than any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum of two (2) years of experience related to the investigation, supervision and/or counseling of clients in a community corrections environment.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS: The ideal candidate will: Possess good writing and communication skills. Possess sound ethics and judgment.

Have the ability to organize and prioritize work assignments, work under pressure of short deadlines, and have the ability to work harmoniously with others in a team-oriented work environment.

Be proficient in problem solving and identifying alternative solutions and possess the ability to make timely and effective decisions. Major Duties:

Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Conduct investigations and prepare reports for the Court with recommendations, which requires interviewing clients and their families, as well as collecting background data from various sources.

An integral part of this process is the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, and may include U.S.

Sentencing Guidelines, Supervision and Presentence Procedures, and relevant case law. Enforce court-ordered supervision conditions and implement supervision strategies.

Maintain personal contact with clients. Investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and needs.

Address substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems and implement the necessary treatment or violation proceedings, through assessment, monitoring, and counseling.

Collect and conduct urinalysis tests of clients, following established procedures and protocols. Maintain paper and computerized records of test results.

Maintain chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Respond to judicial officer's request for information and advice.

Testify in court as to the basis for factual findings and (if warranted) guideline applications. Serve as a resource to the Court. Maintain detailed written records of case activity.

May conduct surveillance and/or plain view seizure at the direction of the Court. Investigate and analyze financial documents and activities and take appropriate action.

Interview victim(s) and provide victim impact statements to the court. Ensure compliance with Mandatory Victims Restitution Act. Conduct presentence investigations and respond to any objections.

This may include resolving disputed issues and presenting unresolved issues to the Court for resolution.

Assess clients' level of risk and needs and develop a blend of strategies for controlling and correcting risks. Communicate with other organizations and persons (such as the U.S.

Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, law enforcement, treatment agencies, and attorneys) concerning clients' behavior and conditions of supervision.

Identify and investigate violations and implement appropriate alternatives and sanctions. Report violations of the conditions of supervision to the appropriate authorities.

Prepare written reports of violation matters and make recommendations for disposition. Testify at court or parole hearings. Conduct Parole Commission preliminary interviews.